OXYGEN DIFFUSION IN RELATION TO PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF GROWING MEDIA

J.B.G.M. Verhagen
For many years oxygen diffusion is known as an important parameter for root development in growing media. Bunt (1988) did describe that coarser graded growing media showed a higher oxygen diffusion rate. In practice a fist rule is that a growing medium with an air filled porosity of 25-30% does provide optimal oxygen diffusion. In research carried out in the last years measurements were carried out on the oxygen supply in various growing media as well as under various culture conditions. A general conclusion was that optimal oxygen diffusion takes place when the actual air filled porosity is at least 20-35%. It became clear that the structure, visible in moisture retention curves, influences this point. The outcomes give base for strategies on irrigation in combination with continuous measurement of the water content with sensors in a root ball.
Verhagen, J.B.G.M. (2013). OXYGEN DIFFUSION IN RELATION TO PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF GROWING MEDIA. Acta Hortic. 1013, 313-318
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2013.1013.38
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2013.1013.38
growing media, oxygen diffusion, physical characteristics, air filled porosity, anoxia
English

Acta Horticulturae